Just 24 hours before the latest CEC selection, IRCC conducted a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draw on 14 September 2026, issuing 576 ITAs to candidates who already hold a provincial nomination. Because a nomination automatically adds 600 CRS points, the minimum cut-off landed at an elevated 734. For global mobility teams, PNP draws remain a critical lever for retaining foreign workers whose CRS scores fall short of federal thresholds. Provinces continue to use their nominee allocations strategically to target in-demand occupations such as nurses, engineers and tech professionals—skills also coveted by multinational firms with Canadian operations. The timing—sandwiched between two CEC draws—illustrates IRCC’s “mixed-model” selection strategy: category-based, program-specific and PNP rounds are rotated to balance regional labour priorities with federal targets. Employers with operations across multiple provinces should track nomination streams closely; many open and close within days. Successful invitees have 60 days to submit electronic applications for permanent residence. Because provincial endorsements expire, assignees should work with corporate immigration counsel to ensure all supporting documents, including updated nomination certificates and employment offers, are lodged on time. The draw brings total ITAs in 2026 to more than 128,000 and underscores the importance of provincial partnerships in meeting Canada’s ambitious immigration targets while addressing acute skills shortages outside major hubs.
Source: CIC News
